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National Cab & Door Corp Special Regional Section: New York BIG APPLE BUSINESS BOOM Across the boroughs, NYC continues to redefine itself with record-breaking development, and there is more than enough VT work to go around.

by Kaija Wilkinson

Merriam-Webster defines “boomtown” as “a town enjoying a business and population boom.” Dictionary.com, meanwhile, describes a “boom town” as a “a town that has grown very rapidly as a result of sudden prosperity.” This definition is what most people think of when they envision a boomtown, like Detroit during the emergence of the automotive industry in the 1950s and California gold-rush towns in the 1800s. Tall-building construction and, in turn, the vertical-transportation (VT) industry, are booming throughout NYC’s boroughs. But does that make the Big Apple a boomtown? While NYC has certainly enjoyed its rapid growth spurts, to describe it as a boomtown seems a little off the mark. The has, for centuries, enjoyed relative prosperity, a prosperity of which the VT industry has been an integral part since Elisha Graves Otis founded his company and installed his first elevator in the 1800s.

Continued

Midtown East has potential for supertall development; photo by Eric Hsu/© NYC & Co.

56 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 [Mayor Bill de Blasio’s] push for affordable housing in these areas offset some losses in the solely market-rate sector, which dominates in the heart of the city.” — Nikolai Fedak, founder, New York YIMBY March 2020 • ELEVATOR WORLD 57 Hudson Yards, a “city within a city” on the far West Side; photo by Julienne We are seeing Schaer/© NYC & Co. The city keeps growing and reinventing itself, with unique, continuing levels of record-breaking (’s 111 West , high activity in the the skinniest building in the world, and the highest observation deck in the Western Hemisphere at , to name a medium to high-rise couple) closing in on completion, and landmarks being residential markets in modernized and revitalized. All is driving business for the VT industry, and there is more than enough work to go around. Manhattan, John Corey, Otis general manager, new equipment, and Brooklyn.” Manhattan, says NYC “has served as a stage for Otis to set many company-specific and industrywide milestones” since its — Schindler Senior founder delivered its first elevator to a Hudson Street factory in Vice President, New 1853. Corey shares that, in 1857, Otis installed its first passenger Installations Mike elevator in the five-story E.W. Haughout Building in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan; in 1903, the first gearless traction Ramandanes elevator in the Beaver Building in the Financial District; and, in 1931, serving the first building in the world to top 100 floors: The . There, Otis recently completed one of the largest and most complex modernizations The big OEMs are handling major projects throughout the in its 166-year history (ELEVATOR WORLD, January 2020), city: thyssenkrupp, as the official VT provider for the Hudson including a custom, panoramic unit to the 102nd-floor Yards megadevelopment developed by The Related Cos. and observatory. Oxford Properties Group on Manhattan’s Far West Side; Otis also designed and installed an elevator for the tallest Schindler, which is providing VT for towers including the residential building in the world, Tower, developed skyline-altering, 1,201-ft-tall next to Grand by Extell and designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Central Terminal (EW, August 2019); and KONE, whose projects Architecture. At 1,550 ft tall, it even looks down on the Empire include the intricate and challenging elevator system for One State Building. A special high-speed unit traverses 131 floors at Wall Street, the largest office-to-condo conversion in NYC 2,000 ft/min in a minute and a half.[1] history (p. 66) to name a few.

58 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 Schindler Senior Vice President, New Installations Mike Ramandanes says NYC is undeniably a major market for the company: “We have an established record in the premium, high-rise If you were to look across office market. Modernization projects involving hospitality the river toward LIC 10 properties, high-rise residential buildings and sports arena years ago, you would’ve infrastructure are also an expanding business area for Schindler in the city. We are seeing continuing levels of high activity in seen a breadth of factories. the medium- to high-rise residential markets in Manhattan, Now, an even mix of Queens and Brooklyn. In 2020, we expect to see increased activity in transit (Manhattan) and infrastructure (La Guardia residential and commercial and John F. Kennedy International airports).” high rises fill the space.” Indeed, infrastructure is vital to supporting the city’s growth. Rarely a week goes by that EW does not receive news about — Otis General Manager, improvements (most often for accessibility) to the NYC subway New Equipment John Corey system. A couple of years ago, your author toured the amazing VT system KONE installed to serve the Second Avenue Subway extension and Hudson Yards (EW, March 2018), and when she visited One Vanderbilt, next door was Planning, “dreams and ambitions are limitless; land is not.” By also in the process of upgrading its VT system. creating infrastructure that didn’t exist before, the city’s failed In terms of modernizations, code compliance is playing a bid to host the 2012 Olympic games served as the catalyst for role in what D&D Elevator President Bobby Schaeffer describes Hudson Yards on the former site of railyards.[2] as “a major bump in business.” In 2014, NYC established an Today, portions of its first phase — the 27-story 10 Hudson elevator door-lock-monitoring (DLM) requirement that calls for Yards with numerous high-end retail tenants and others; the every elevator in the city to have a separate circuit for DLM and 88-story, residential ; the 51-story office tower be outfitted with a rope-gripping device. Compliance by ; Thomas Heatherwick’s interactive sculpture, January 1, 2020, was mandatory, with scofflaws incurring fines. ; the mixed-use, 72-story ; and multiarts Schaeffer says: center , where Icelandic performer Björk enjoyed a “From what I can tell, on average, only 25-30% of elevators sold-out residency in April-June 2019.[2] — have already opened. have been retrofitted to comply with DLM. We are about 60% is set to open in 2022, with the second phase, done with our customer base, so we’re actually ahead of the Western Yard, expected to start opening in 2025. The game. By September, we should be pretty well done with our development has been praised and panned, with descriptions customers. But, I still have [approximately] 100 customers who ranging from “an ambitious experiment in urban planning, haven’t even approved expenditures for DLM yet.” sustainability and smart infrastructure” to a “billionaires’ Some, he says, are opting for complete modernizations, playground” and NYC’s own Westworld.[2] Regardless, Hudson making it “the busiest it’s ever been” in NYC for D&D. Business Yards is driving business for OEMs and independents alike. grew by 25% in 2019, and Schaeffer predicts a similar outcome this year, fueled in large part by modernization. He says: Continued “There is a lot of antiquated equipment in the city that has to be either upgraded, repaired or replaced. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 60,000-70,000 elevators that have some age on them. If there are a couple thousand a year that are modernized and multiple tens of thousands that aren’t, you do the math. By the time you finish modernizing every single one of them, it’s time to modernize them again. So, it just keeps going.” Elevator modernization, Schaeffer says, is strong throughout the boroughs. In terms of new construction, Manhattan and Brooklyn lead the way. “Manhattan’s Manifest Destiny” The biggest private in U.S. history, the 28-acre Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s Far West Side was conceived nearly two decades ago and “viewed by developers and city agencies alike as Manhattan’s Manifest Destiny” and the last piece of significant property in NYC, where, according to the NYC Department of City Escalators serving the Hudson Yards subway station; photo by Julienne Schaer/© NYC & Co.

March 2020 • ELEVATOR WORLD 59 Trump Building at 40 Wall Street in the Financial District. Friedman says NECD is also strong in market-rate and public- housing residential projects. Providing further insight, Friedman shares: “Manhattan continues to be the busiest borough for us. Job growth and rezoning, [the latter of] which allows new construction and encourages existing buildings to modernize to keep up with the new space, are big business drivers. The trend can continue; there’s still development opportunities in many markets: Hudson Yards, Grand Central, Penn Station, downtown Brooklyn, Long Island City (LIC) and more. We have a list of more than 1,000 buildings in NYC with five or more elevators — a list that’s not complete, by the way — whose average age is almost certainly more than 50 years old — and we’ve modernized around 150 of them, so there’s still work to be done.” Otis’ Corey agrees, observing the city’s high-rise market is cyclical, with older buildings being either modernized or torn down and reconstructed as companies move into new ones. “Whether or not a building is modernized or reconstructed depends on a number of factors,” Corey says. “I typically see those built within the past 20 years get modernized.” Across the boroughs, NYC is generally well-suited for skyscrapers, he says, Detail of curtain wall at 55 Hudson Yards; image courtesy of Related/Oxford Properties Group pointing to 57th Street as a longstanding example. He elaborates:

D&D Elevator’s business grew by 25% in 2019, and [President Bobby] Schaeffer predicts a similar outcome this year, fueled in large part by modernizations.

In 2018, thyssenkrupp announced it would install up to 40 TWIN elevators at 50 Hudson Yards and more than 100 units throughout the megaproject, including 27 elevators at 55 Hudson Yards and 12 elevators and escalators at The Shed. Upon completion in 2022, 50 Hudson Yards will become Manhattan’s Once dominated by factories, the LIC skyline is transforming; photo by fourth-tallest office building. Its TWIN elevators, featuring two Michelle Rick/© NYC & Co. cars operating independently in the same shaft, will be the first “There are particular areas like LIC, downtown Brooklyn and such installation in NYC and the second in the U.S. Manhattan that now seem to be especially booming. For Suppliers including National Elevator Cab & Door Corp. example, LIC’s skyline has grown significantly in the last (NECD) agree projects like Hudson Yards are driving business. decade. If you were to look across the river toward LIC 10 years The company will supply 88 elevator cabs and more than 1,100 ago, you would’ve seen a breadth of factories. Now, an even mix entrances at 50 Hudson Yards. NECD CEO Jeff Friedman says the of residential and commercial high rises fill the space.” percentage of his company’s NYC workload has ranged from 60% Residential construction permitting numbers increased to 90% in any given year in its 90-plus-year history. Right now, slightly in 2019 compared to 2018, and 2018 was a major he says, “that’s close to the top of that range” with close to 20 increase from 2017, New York YIMBY’s Nikolai Fedak says. He 20-plus-car projects underway. In addition to Hudson Yards, believes this year holds more of the same or, perhaps, a slight NECD is handling 58 cabs for the modernization of the MetLife decrease in overall filing activity. “In either case, construction Building at 200 above Grand Central Terminal in across the five boroughs has been doing well in recent years,” and 33 cabs for the modernization of the Fedak states, continuing: Continued 60 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 Looking over the Brooklyn Bridge toward Manhattan; photo by Julienne Schaer/© NYC & Co.

Grand Central Terminal is also in the process of upgrading its VT system; photo by Eric Hsu/© NYC & Co.

March 2020 • ELEVATOR WORLD 61 “The current momentum in construction across the boroughs appears to be geared toward high-density housing in the urban periphery. This includes the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. [Mayor Bill de Blasio’s] push for affordable housing in these areas offset some losses in the solely market-rate sector, which dominates in the heart of the city. ’s overall activity isn’t necessarily high enough in any given year that meaningful trends can be taken in activity from one year to the next, barring a massive gain or drop. In EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES 2019’s case, I think things remained largely unchanged.” A Better Tomorrow Begins Today at Champion Elevator Growth Begets Growth Fedak observes the emergence of Hudson Yards and Midtown East promise to fuel further development. The expansion of Manhattan’s commercial core into new neighborhoods will result in a gradual but sustained development boom in these same neighborhoods, he Bank of escalators at 30 Hudson Yards; image © Jaume Plensa, courtesy of Galerie de says. As the western railyards transform into greenspace Long & Co. (Hudson Yards will eventually incorporate 14 acres of NYC has another record in the upcoming tallest intentionally it),[2] new developments will rise in the surrounding blocks, he demolished structure in history: the 52-story JPMorgan Chase projects. “Many of Midtown East’s antiquated office buildings building at in Midtown Manhattan. In its are also destined for the wrecking ball, given the tremendous place, JPMorgan plans to construct a 1,322-ft-tall, 57-story allowances provided by the recent upzoning [changing zoning supertall starting construction as early as next year. There are to allow for higher value, such as industrial to residential or to 27 supertalls — buildings that exceed 984 ft tall — either higher density],”[3] he continues. completed, under construction or proposed in NYC, representing a “supertall boom” that was mapped by Curbed New York.[4] But is the era of supertalls in the city coming to an end? Perhaps not, Fedak says, stating: “Midtown East is perhaps the next contender for any new supertall proposals. Last year, YIMBY posted plans for another Vornado supertall at 350 Park Avenue. That one is apparently still in the very early stages of ideation, but it shows that much of the stretch of Park Avenue north of is ripe for new construction, so I would not be surprised to see plans leak for another tower or two in that corridor.” With new construction and modernization across NYC showing no signs of letting up, the main challenge for VT companies will be the availability of qualified labor. “While the number of high-rise office projects is reducing, activity in other segments and the increasing supply of modernization and maintenance projects are applying pressure on the labor market,” Ramandanes says. References [1] Frank, Robert. “What It’s Like to Live on the 123rd Floor of the World’s Tallest Condo Tower,” CNBC Markets (September 18, 2019). [2] Fixsen, Anna. “Everything You Need to Know About the Hudson Relocation Expenses and Packages Available. Yards Grand Opening,” Architectural Digest (March 13, 2019). Become a Union Member and Receive GREAT Benefits [3] urban-regeneration.worldbank.org/node/21 [4] Plitt, Amy. “NYC’s Boom, Mapped; These 20-+ Skyscrapers Opportunity to Become a Licensed Elevator Technician Will Forever Alter the NYC Skyline,” Curbed New York (January 23, 2020). Relocation Expenses and Packages Available

Elevator bank with custom artwork by Helena Hernmarck at 35 Hudson Yards; image courtesy of Related/Oxford Properties Group Mr. Donald Gelestino, President 212.292.4430 • 1450 , 5th Fl, NYC 10018 • [email protected] • www.Champion-Elevator.com 62 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES A Better Tomorrow Begins Today at Champion Elevator

Relocation Expenses and Packages Available. Become a Union Member and Receive GREAT Benefits Opportunity to Become a Licensed Elevator Technician Relocation Expenses and Packages Available

Mr. Donald Gelestino, President 212.292.4430 • 1450 Broadway, 5th Fl, NYC 10018 • [email protected] • www.Champion-Elevator.com SPECIAL REGIONAL SECTION NEW YORK A Long Time Coming The Elevator Safety Act will mean changes for the industry but, ideally, yield a safer elevator world.

by Kaija Wilkinson While it may have added urgency for

fter eight years of negotiation and a mind-boggling the governor to finalize and sign the number of iterations (five from December bill, the [deadly elevator] incident 2019-January 2020, for example), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved the Elevator Safety Act (New [in Kips Bay in 2019] was not the York State Assembly Bill S7306) on January 2, with the final well from which the law sprung. version published on January 17. The State of New York and NYC, arguably the elevator capital of the world, now join about 30 for renewal after their first two licensed years. The board will other states with similar laws. “This should be the final also determine local requirements and industry standards language,” says Bobby Schaeffer, president of D&D Elevator, regarding elevator inspections. Their goal will be to ensure headquartered in Elmsford, New York. Set to go into effect elevators are being inspected by licensed inspectors at both the approximately two years from the date of its adoption, the law city and state levels. Appointees will be representatives of will require elevator mechanics to possess a Certified Elevator elevator manufacturers, building owners or managers, elevator Technician (CET®) certification issued by the National industry construction workers, elevator servicing companies Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) or an equivalent and industry associations. A fire department representative recognized by the NYC Commissioner of the Department of could also be appointed. Buildings or the New York State Department of Labor (DoL). An Associations could include entities like NAEC, NAESA example of an equivalent is the National Elevator Industry International and the Elevator Conference of New York. Educational Program offered through the International Union Manufacturers could be representatives from National Elevator of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) for apprenticeship or the Joint Industry, Inc. member companies or area independents. Apprenticeship Training Committee program offered through “Certainly, somebody from GAL (a member of the Vantage International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3. family of companies) could be appointed to the board, since Accessibility technicians will have to possess a Certified they’re one of the largest manufacturers of elevator equipment Accessibility and Private-Residence Lift Technician (CAT®) in the state of New York,” Schaeffer says. “We would also point license from NAEC or an equivalent recognized by the out they are one of the largest, if not the largest, employer in commissioner. Also accepted is NAESA International’s Qualified the Bronx.” Elevator Inspector (QEI) training. NAEC’s QEI certification To be sure, Schaeffer has skin in the game, as D&D opened its program has not yet been accepted because it is not yet Elevator Learning Center (ELC) in October 2018 (ELEVATOR accredited, but proponents of training, like Schaeffer, are WORLD, February 2019). ELC offers CET, which was started in confident it will be added once that happens. 2001 with support from EW Editor-at-Large Ricia Sturgeon- The Elevator Safety Act will also establish the New York State Hendrick, Schaffer and NAEC. It achieved accreditation in 2011. Elevator Safety and Advisory Board. In previous versions of the In January, Schaeffer said the ELC was chugging along, with bill, this board would have consisted of nine individuals; the two candidates on the cusp of becoming CETs and four CET final version calls for 13: seven appointed by the governor, three graduates since 2018. by the speaker of the New York State Assembly and three by Schaeffer describes passage of the bill as “fantastic.” And, the Senate. with language incorporated that allows other programs, no one Schaeffer anticipates the board being named late this year or feels left out, he says. Mike Halpin, a spokesperson for IUEC in early 2021. Whoever is on it will have to “know this Local 1 called it “a huge win for elevator workers and the legislation back and forth, up and down,” he says, as they will elevator-riding public.”[1] be charged with creating future licensing requirements and a The tragic death of a young man in a Kips Bay, Manhattan, licensing exam mechanics may be required to take to qualify elevator accident in August 2019 brought increased attention to 64 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 the need for greater oversight of industry training and safety. While it may have added urgency for the governor to finalize and sign the bill, the incident was not the well from which the law sprung. IUEC Local 1 has, for nearly a decade, “sought licensing rules to toughen elevator safety in NYC by setting minimum education and training standards for elevator mechanics.”[2] There are a lot of components that still have to come together before the law goes into effect. Schaeffer says: “After the board is named, in 2021 is when those appointed will work with the commissioner of the Department of Buildings (DoB) and the commissioner of the New York DoL to put the requirements together. [The Elevator Safety Act] is supposed to take effect two years after it’s been adopted, but it has a caveat — as long as it’s funded. So, number one, legislators have got to get the money to fund it, because they’ve got to pay for the time and effort to create the board. They’ve got to create another licensing subdivision within the DoL and DoB. They’ve got a lot of work to do.” The DoL commissioner will set the application fees for elevator mechanics’ licenses. As of this writing, fees had not yet been set, but Schaeffer says one would imagine they would be in line with ’s, which is US$100 initially, then US$260 for a renewal after two years. New Jersey also requires an insurance bond for each mechanic, while New York requires insurance for companies but not mechanics. Some companies will offer their mechanics’ assistance with licensing fees, and this cost will affect companies’ costs of doing business. Even so, many companies are on board with the legislation. National Elevator Cab and Door CEO Jeff Friedman says elevator safety is the highest priority for elevator contractors and building owners. If increased spending on mechanic licensing reduces the available budget for cabs, Friedman says his company will emphasize its ability to find “the right solution for the right price.” There will be few losers in the post-Elevator Safety Act world, Schaeffer says. “Let’s face it; it will affect companies that don’t want to educate their people.” That, however, could be a good thing as a stronger, more safety-conscious industry emerges. Schaeffer states: “I think it’s a win for almost everybody. It’s a win for the unions, and it’s a win for the industry, because it raises the bar for all of us to be more professional and educate ourselves. Currently, that is not the case. Continuing education is always a good thing. The way it’s written right now, without seeing any other requirements from the DoL, it’s a win all the way around. It’s a win for the associations, it’s a win for the contractor companies that do training and safety. It’s a win for real estate owners and managers, because it ensures they have licensed contractors working in their buildings. And it’s absolutely a win for the riding public.” References [1] Jeans, David. “NY elevator mechanics may soon be forced to receive safety training and licensing,” The Real Deal, June 21, 2019. [2] Campanile, Carl. “Elevator Safety Law Awaits Cuomo’s Signature Months After Horrific Accident,” New York Post, December 23, 2019. SPECIAL REGIONAL SECTION NEW YORK One Wall Street The complexity of NYC’s largest-ever office-to- condo conversion extends to its elevator system.

by Kaija Wilkinson

ive percent complete. That may not sound like a lot, but when one considers the complexity involved in the US$1.5-billion office-to-condo conversion of One Wall Street — the largest such project in NYC real estate history — it certainly is. KONE Project Manager Ken Snowdon provided the 5% complete estimate for the new elevator system that will serve the 50-story Art Deco tower in the Financial The Elevator Learning Center (ELC) District when your author spoke with him in October 2019. To avoid awkward layouts that can result from office-to-condo conversions, developer Macklowe Properties decided to remove is located at Corporate Boulevard 20 elevators from a perimeter wall and install 25 new ones in of the structure to allow for more in Yonkers NY and delivering: [1] with windows. One Wall Street, post conversion; rendering by DBOX • Online Education via state-of-the-art computer workstations In the beginning, it was ‘hurry up,’ we’re getting the information bit by bit. When we get all the and then, all of a sudden, you have information, we will be able to proceed at a faster pace.” • Accredited, certified apprenticeship training recognized by the Department of Labor Patience and attention to detail are crucial for preserving • OSHA and Safety training using highly experienced, certified instructors to stop and reverse directions. and transforming the landmarked structure, designed by Ralph Walker of Voorhees, Gmelin & Walker and opened in 1931 as the • Industry related continuing education with CEU credits for licensing and certification Irving Trust Co. building. It became the Bank of New York — KONE Project Manager Building in 1988 and the BNY Mellon Building in 2007. A south • City of New York Local Law 196 approved safety training provider Ken Snowdon tower addition, also being restored, was built in the early 1960s. Macklowe bought the property from BNY Mellon in 2014. Now, The job was originally awarded to City Elevator, which KONE with financial backing from one of the world’s richest men, Students experience hands-on learning with full-scale elevator component acquired in 2016. The KONE team arrived onsite in 2017 to begin Qatari royal and former prime minister Sheikh Hamad Bin removing the old elevators, and the new equipment arrived Jassim Bin Jaber al-Thani,[2] it is converting its 1.1-million ft2 for mockups and demonstration aids, as well as simulators that provide the onsite in fall 2018. It has been in storage since. residential use. SLCE Architects is the architect of record. experience of working with equipment from several leading manufacturers. A 38-year industry veteran who retired from Otis, Snowdon The plan includes reallocating floor area to allow for has worked on major NYC vertical-transportation (VT) jobs, additional residences above the south tower and adding including the and World Trade Center amenities like a 75-X-20-ft pool, indoor and outdoor lounges, a Transportation Hub. This is his first office-to-condo conversion. gym and private terraces.[3] A Whole Foods Market will occupy a He said: 44,000-ft2 glass-clad, ground-level space at the corner of “Being that it’s a demo job, there have been a lot of surprises Broadway and Exchange Place. we’ve uncovered — steel you didn’t expect, for example. We’ve For the VT contractors and all others involved, the tedious, been designing and building on the fly. There is a lot of slow-paced work occurring in late 2019 will gradually give way coordination and interfaces that have to go on with the general to a full-fledged construction project involving an array of contractor (NYC-based J.T. Magen & Co.). In the beginning, it subcontractors. The VT companies and what they are was ‘hurry up,’ and then, all of a sudden, you have to stop and providing include: reverse directions. So now we’re more patient and realize that The Elevator Learning Center • 200 Corporate Blvd. Suite 130A • Yonkers, NY 10701 Continued 914-509-3066 66 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 The Elevator Learning Center (ELC) is located at Corporate Boulevard in Yonkers NY and delivering:

• Online Education via state-of-the-art computer workstations • Accredited, certified apprenticeship training recognized by the Department of Labor • OSHA and Safety training using highly experienced, certified instructors • Industry related continuing education with CEU credits for licensing and certification • City of New York Local Law 196 approved safety training provider

Students experience hands-on learning with full-scale elevator component mockups and demonstration aids, as well as simulators that provide the experience of working with equipment from several leading manufacturers.

The Elevator Learning Center • 200 Corporate Blvd. Suite 130A • Yonkers, NY 10701 914-509-3066 Thank you, New York! The Red Room MVT MAKES YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. The painstaking work on Wall Street elevator system mirrors that by Macklowe Properties of the restoration of the 9,000-ft2 mosaic in its Red Room. The patterns on the cabs’ LIFTING walls evoke a geometry akin to that of the mosaic walls of the room, which has been closed to the public since 2001.[4] Accessed via Wall Street, the 33-ft-high space was originally EASY intended as a reception area for Irving Trust’s clients. It will be reborn as a grand entrance for One All Street’s residents and guests. A creation of NYC artisan Hildred Meière, who was commissioned by Voorhees, Gmelin & Walker, the glittering orange, gold and oxblood walls have drawn comparisons to Golden Hall in Stockholm City Hall in Sweden. The tesserae — the glass pieces — for both Stockholm and NYC pieces were manufactured by the same Berlin firm. But, while the Stockholm mosaic depicts allegories of events and people from Swedish history, Meière’s piece “demonstrates how even without allegorical or religious imagery, [the artist] was able to create an extraordinary Art Deco space.” That promises to make it all the more appealing to the variety of residents the developer hopes to attract. In late 2017, the installation was in the final stages of a 16-month, US$1-million restoration.[4] Mosaic detail; courtesy of hildrethmeiere.org

Soaring ceilings and dazzling mosaics distinguish the Red Room; photo courtesy of Macklowe Properties

MVT has over the years designed and manufactured hydraulic elevators for every possible application. This includes everything from simple 2 stop twin post to large freight elevators and car lifts up to 80,000 lbs capacity. The close contact between our engineering team and the customer allows for flexibility and quick turnaround time.

740 4th Ave • Grandes-Piles, QC • Canada G0X1H0 Tel: 819-538-3400 • Email: [email protected] • www.mvtinc.com Warehouse: 4 William Demarest Place • Waldwick, NJ 07463 68 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 Thank you, New York! MVT MAKES YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. LIFTING EASY

MVT has over the years designed and manufactured hydraulic elevators for every possible application. This includes everything from simple 2 stop twin post to large freight elevators and car lifts up to 80,000 lbs capacity. The close contact between our engineering team and the customer allows for flexibility and quick turnaround time.

740 4th Ave • Grandes-Piles, QC • Canada G0X1H0 Tel: 819-538-3400 • Email: [email protected] • www.mvtinc.com Warehouse: 4 William Demarest Place • Waldwick, NJ 07463 ♦ Mongrain Vertical Transport, Inc. (Grandes-Piles, Canada): 600 ft. There will also be six low-rise, 2500-lb capacity, 700 ft/ four holeless hydraulic elevators min elevators. ♦ H&B Elevators (Minneapolis): Passenger elevator entrances Many subcontractors are involved in the passenger cabs ♦ EDI/ECI (Patterson, New Jersey), hydraulic elevator entrances designed by National Elevator Cab & Door. They include ♦ The Peelle Co. (Smithtown, New York, office): two freight architect MdeAS, HDLC Architectural Lighting Design, elevator cars engineering services firm Cosintini Associates, Desimone ♦ Universal Supply, Consulting Engineers and ESCC® (Electronic Security and Inc. (New Rochelle, Communications Corp.), all based in NYC. New York), Architectural drawings provided by Snowdon reveal cabs construction hoists with rich, brown side walls etched in a decorative pattern ♦ National Elevator evocative of Art Deco; a high-gloss, black rear wall with a Cab & Door Corp. custom, round mirror in a stainless-steel frame; a dark, square (Woodside, New ceiling-light cove; and custom carpeting. They promise to be York): passenger handsome, stylish cabs worthy of an iconic structure that elevator cab boasts several remarkable features, such as its limestone interiors façade and iconic Red Room. Snowdon said the targeted date The order includes to complete the project is sometime in 2022. four high-rise, 2500-lb capacity, 1,200 ft/min References [1] Young, Michael. “One Wall Street’s Residential Conversion and units. Of those four, Addition Continues in Financial District,” New York YIMBY three will be 29-stop (August 27, 2019). passenger elevators [2] “Qatari Royal HBJ is Secret Backer of Harry Macklowe’s One Wall: and one, a 46-stop Sources,” The Real Deal (March 28, 2017). [3] slcearch.com/project/one-wall-street service elevator that [4] Montes, Geoffrey. “A Hidden Art Deco Lobby on Wall Street travels approximately Elevator cab interiors at One Wall Street; Undergoes a $1 Million Restoration,” Galerie, Summer 2017. courtesy of National Elevator Cab & Door

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70 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020

SPECIAL REGIONAL SECTION NEW YORK Mesh Pattern: Reveal Elevator Manufacturing in NYC This History article examines the little-known situation of the fledgling industry between 1836 and 1869.

by Dr. Lee Gray, EW Correspondent

he November 25, 1854, issue of Scientific American hoist wheel (sheave) makers. WIRE BY DESIGN manufactures engineered architectural included an illustrated, descriptive article on Elisha M.N. Stanley & Co. was Graves Otis’ “improved elevator,” which he had recently joined by Thomas W. Fields mesh in the U.S. offering a modern, sophisticated look at exhibited at the New York Crystal Palace. The story of and Daniel Mahoney as Otis’ exhibition has become a staple component of all histories advertised builders of an economical price. of vertical transportation (VT), as well as the stuff of legend and hoisting machines. Fields myth. The successful demonstration of his new safety device is also advertised that he At Wire By Design we provide typically described as having offered a powerful commercial manufactured “improved challenge to existing elevator builders. However, very little is patent” levers, friction several materials and finishes known about elevator manufacturing in New York in the rollers and hoist wheels. (As mid-1800s. Who were Otis’ competitors? What was the state of was the case with Stanley, that will transform your high the VT industry? The following account will seek to answer Figure 1: Friction roller (1868) relevant patents assigned to these questions through an examination of the elevator Fields have not been found). The reference to friction rollers traffic passenger cab or industry in NYC from 1836 to 1869, seen primarily through the serves as a reminder of the increasing complexity of these lens of the city’s commercial directories. machines. A friction roller (also occasionally referred to as an upscale, top of the line cab At the Ninth Annual Fair of the American Institute, held in “antifriction roller”) was defined as: “Instead of a shaft revolving October 1836, M.N. Stanley & Co. received a Silver Medal for “an in an ordinary bearing, it is supported on the circumference of into a beautiful and durable excellent hoisting machine on a new principle.”[1] The hoist, wheels [or rollers]. The friction is thus reduced to the least design application. invented by Henry Stanley, was advertised as “Stanley’s patent amount.”[3] (Figure 1) hoisting machine.” While designed for use in warehouses, it The NYC elevator industry continued to grow throughout the was also described as suitable for “many other purposes.”[2] The 1850s. Hagan and Thomas expanded their production to include Call us today! “new principle” employed by Stanley was described as follows: hoisting machines, and additional manufacturers appeared on “The superiority of this machine over those ordinarily in use the scene. The latter included Mahoney, Edwin R. Thomas, Mesh Pattern: Bulkhead Mesh Pattern: Context Mesh Pattern: Shear consists in its having two motions or powers and can be Henry C. Flenda, Thompson & Crawford and Otis, whose entry instantly shifted from one to the other to conform to the weight into this increasingly crowded marketplace was aided by the of the article to be hoisted — the advantages of which are that 1854 Scientific American article, which included the first light articles can be hoisted very rapidly and heavy articles published image of an American platform freight elevator without additional labor.”[2] (Figure 2). Otis used this image in an 1855 leaflet that Unfortunately, no images of Stanley’s hoisting machine have announced the creation of the Union Elevator Works and survived, and the patent alluded to remains a mystery. While General Machinery Depot. In 1857, he described himself in the patents attributed to Henry Stanley from this period exist, none NYC directory as a “manufacturer of improved patent elevators concern hoisting machines. It is very likely that this device and hoisting machines that cannot fall.”[4] Otis was, in fact, the concerned a basic hoist that did not feature a platform, but only manufacturer in 1850s NYC who advertised “elevators” and which employed a hook or other means to carry loads. “hoisting machines.” The difference between these types By the end of the 1840s, numerous individuals and appears to have been the presence of a platform (instead of a companies in NYC were engaged in manufacturing hoists and hook, net or basket) used to carry the load. Otis also (as was hoisting components, and entries in the city’s business evident in his company’s name, which included the phrase directories reflect the gradual emergence of this new industry. “general machinery depot”) followed the precedent established Edward Hagan and Edward Thomas described themselves as by his competitors in manufacturing a wide range of products. 10 Abraso Street, Lancaster PA 17601 • Phone 800-773-5700 • Fax 717-394-7313 Continued 72 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 WirebyDesignCo.com [email protected]

32890_Wire by Design--Elevator World--8-632x11-125 FULL BLD 2.indd 1 2/6/18 7:42 AM Mesh Pattern: Reveal

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32890_Wire by Design--Elevator World--8-632x11-125 FULL BLD 2.indd 1 2/6/18 7:42 AM These included steam engines, manufactured “hoisting elevators for livery stables, carriage boilers, shafting and pulleys, iron and railroad houses,” as well as “dumbwaiters for stores and turning lathes, planning, slotting private dwellings.”[6] and drilling machines, and bolt cutters. Unfortunately, Otis did not live to see his fledgling company’s eventual success under the leadership of his sons. He died on April 8, 1861. Four days later, Confederate troops opened fire on Fort Sumter, and Figure 4: Alexander Thompson advertisement (1867) the nation was plunged into four Rosemor International Ltd has been years of Civil War. Following the The 1867 advertisement for Alexander Thompson, who established since 1985 and prides itself on end of the war in April 1865, described himself as a “patent lever and improved friction roller NYC’s elevator industry, largely & hoist wheel manufacturer,” included an illustration of a quality design and manufacturing of dormant during the war years, hand-powered hoisting machine (Figure 4).[7] While somewhat precision-engineered Escalator and Travellator began a second phase of schematic in nature, this image accurately represented the act deep cleaning machines. expansion. However, before the of hoisting, with the human figure grasping the rope in their immediate postwar era is hands. The image also appears to represent a machine similar Rosemor is established in 59 countries around examined, one event from the in design (although seen from a different perspective) to that early 1860s should be noted. In found in the Hagan advertisement. In fact, the engravings the world, including USA, Australia, China and 1861, S.B. Althause & Sons Iron produced for the Hagan advertisement by L.B. Covert were many more. Works advertised that the wide recycled for an 1868 advertisement for Rooney & Dobbins www.rosemor.com Figure 2: Elisha Graves Otis’ range of products it (Figure 5). Remarkably, the advertisements for both firms “Improved Elevator” (1854) manufactured included appeared on the same page in the 1868 directory, with the “platform elevators, both geared and hydraulic.”[5] This brief images differentiated only in their graphic presentation (Figure statement marks two potential “firsts.” It is one of the earliest 6). This set of images continued to be used throughout the 1870s With the new Rotomatic machine we aim to extend We are proud to deliver most of our training in-house; to references to a geared machine (powered by a steam engine) in in advertisements for different firms and served as generic this, with the new and added features of a a standard so high we often provide training to clients. an era when most elevators were belt-driven machines. The representations of this technology. self-cleaning mode, touch screen interface, and a We also use external expertise to ensure our people statement also includes one of the first references to a hydraulic new cleaning program. We believe this is the best receive the best training possible. elevator system. Unfortunately, no images or other information cleaning machine for escalators in the world. that could shed light on these intriguing systems has survived. The time-consuming aftercare is a thing of the past, The first illustrated elevator advertisement appeared in a The new Rotomatic is quicker, smaller and simpler to now with a push of a button the machine automatically NYC directory in 1866. The advertisement, for the firm of use than any other escalator deep cleaning machine rinses clean, saving you hours of time and effort. Edward Hagan, Jr. (successor to Edward Hagan, Sr.), featured in the world, still with the option of the T10 for two images: one depicting a hand-powered elevator and one travellator deep cleaning. Touch-screen interface gives the operator more control depicting a hand-powered hoisting machine (Figure 3). A close and status information than ever before, there are even reading of these engravings reveals that they appear to contain One of our main distributors is USA Clean Inc; who onboard operational guides. the normative components of hand-powered machines. The are based in ILLINOIS (USA). They have recently just elevator featured a large hoisting sheave driven by an endless purchased another 10 machines from us, being one Larger detergent tanks can now accommodate up to 20 rope, a brake, a car and a counterweight, while the hoisting of our first customers to purchase the new Rotomatic. litres of cleaning detergent. machine employed a winding drum and hook. This reading also reveals that the drawings are somewhat crudely done regarding accuracy and detail. For example, in both cases, the human figure allegedly powering the machine is not, in fact, grasping the hoisting rope. The advertisement’s text described Figure 5: Rooney & Dobbins advertisement (1868) For more information in the US, contact: Hagan as a maker These generic images were eclipsed in 1868 by the of “improved appearance of the first illustrated advertisement for Otis 1-800-USA-CLEAN patent” levers, Brothers & Co. to appear in a NYC directory (Figure 7). Beginning (800-872-2532) friction rollers and in the early 1860s, Otis had adopted a strategy of investing in www.usaclean.com hoist wheels. The the production of high-quality images that accurately text further stated represented its products. Many of these first appeared in that he industrial and mechanical journals and accompanied articles +44 (0)1491 838011 [email protected] Unit F, Moses Winter Way Hithercroft Trading estate Figure 3: Edward Hagan, Jr. advertisement (1866) Continued +44 (0)1491 832010 Wallingford, Oxfordshire - OX10 9FE, UK 74 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 Rosemor International Ltd has been established since 1985 and prides itself on quality design and manufacturing of precision-engineered Escalator and Travellator deep cleaning machines.

Rosemor is established in 59 countries around the world, including USA, Australia, China and many more. www.rosemor.com

With the new Rotomatic machine we aim to extend We are proud to deliver most of our training in-house; to this, with the new and added features of a a standard so high we often provide training to clients. self-cleaning mode, touch screen interface, and a We also use external expertise to ensure our people new cleaning program. We believe this is the best receive the best training possible. cleaning machine for escalators in the world. The time-consuming aftercare is a thing of the past, The new Rotomatic is quicker, smaller and simpler to now with a push of a button the machine automatically use than any other escalator deep cleaning machine rinses clean, saving you hours of time and effort. in the world, still with the option of the T10 for travellator deep cleaning. Touch-screen interface gives the operator more control and status information than ever before, there are even One of our main distributors is USA Clean Inc; who onboard operational guides. are based in ILLINOIS (USA). They have recently just purchased another 10 machines from us, being one Larger detergent tanks can now accommodate up to 20 of our first customers to purchase the new Rotomatic. litres of cleaning detergent.

For more information in the US, contact: 1-800-USA-CLEAN (800-872-2532) www.usaclean.com

+44 (0)1491 838011 [email protected] Unit F, Moses Winter Way Hithercroft Trading estate +44 (0)1491 832010 Wallingford, Oxfordshire - OX10 9FE, UK Among the companies that joined the NYC elevator industry in the 1860s were firms that sought to capitalize on the growing number of elevators in the city by offering installation and repair services. These included Charles West, who advertised that he could repair “elevators of all kinds.” West also noted that he installed call-bells, speaking tubes, whistles, signs, office doors and rolling shutters. He also offered his services as a locksmith and a gas fitter with, of course, “all orders promptly attended to and Figure 7: Otis Brothers & Co. executed with dispatch.”[8] advertisement (1868) In a similar fashion, John N. Blasi, a self-described engineer and machinist, stated that his wide range of services included the repair and installation of “elevators and machinery of all kinds. . . at the shortest notice.”[9] New elevator companies included William S. Watson, “manufacturer of Watson’s patent elevator, patent safety self-acting hoisting and lowering apparatus, hand & steam hoisting machines, parallel vices, etc.” and L. Atwood & Co., Figure 6: Hoisting Machines advertisement (1868) “builders of Atwood’s patent differential elevators for hotels, [8 & 9] that extolled the virtues of their elevators. The images were stores and public buildings.” later used in advertisements and promotional materials. The This brief survey of the origins of NYC’s elevator industry 1868 advertisements featured images depicting a steam illustrates its diversity and reminds us that important events, hoisting engine and two belt-driven, ceiling-mounted such as Elisha Graves Otis’ 1854 exhibition, occur within unique machines. The content of the advertisements’ text departed and distinct historical contexts. While the importance of NYC in from their typical practice of describing and identifying the the development of elevator technology in the last quarter of products by name (for example, the “Union Hoisting Engine”). the 19th century is well-known, this investigation uncovered a Instead, they offered potential customers a general introduction fact that speaks to the industry’s national importance in the to Otis Brothers & Co.: early 1870s. In 1873-1874, L. Atwood & Co. installed the first “Successors to E. Graves Otis, original inventor of the safety passenger elevator in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. ratchet, and other safe and economical devices, by which the But that, as they say, is a story for another day. Learn Open the door to platform is instantly locked to the guide posts on the breakage References more of the lifting rope, and no power is consumed, excepting what is [1] “List of Premiums Awarded by the Managers of the Ninth Annual Fair precision control actually required to do the work. We are now manufacturing of the American Institute held at Niblo’s Garden, October 1836,” over 20 different sizes and adaptations of hosting machinery Journal of the American Institute (November 1839). SIDOOR – Automatic door controls and are enabled by long experience and thorough knowledge of [2] “Stanley’s Patent Hoisting Machine,” New York Post (July 13, 1836). [3] Henry T. Brown, Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements, San SIDOOR is Siemens modular, automatic door management the business to guarantee unqualified satisfaction in all cases. Francisco: Dewey & Co. (1869). By the application of our new patent self-oiling loose pulley, and [4] Trow’s Directory, Compiled by H. Wilson, for the Year system. The sophisticated, intelligent and ingenious modular system enables a wide variety of automatic door applications to also a very superior self-oiling journal box, we can warrant our Ending May 1, 1857, New York: John F. Trow (1857). [5] Trow’s New York City Directory, Compiled by H. Wilson, for the Year be conveniently parameterized and configured to operate with machines to run in the most perfectly satisfactory manner, with Ending May 1, 1861, New York: John F. Trow (1861). just one button. After a single learn run, SIDOOR automatically oiling but once a week. Otis’ patent self-oiling loose pulley is the [6] Trow’s New York City Directory, Compiled by H. Wilson, for the Year calculates the optimum drive characteristics for safe operation. most perfect contrivance for the purpose ever invented and will Ending May 1, 1866, New York: John F. Trow (1866). be found invaluable in manufactories, etc. where disordered [7] Trow’s New York City Directory, Compiled by H. Wilson, for the Year [8] Ending May 1, 1867, New York: John F. Trow (1867). loose pulleys are found to be a source of constant annoyance.” [8] Trow’s New York City Directory, Compiled by H. Wilson, for the Year However, the power of Otis’s promotional materials did not Ending May 1, 1868, New York: John F. Trow (1868). usa.siemens.com/sidoor [9] Trow’s New York City Directory, Compiled by H. Wilson, for the Year dissuade new competitors from entering the marketplace. Inc. © Siemens Industry, Ending May 1, 1869, New York: John F. Trow (1869).

76 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 Learn Open the door to more precision control SIDOOR – Automatic door controls

SIDOOR is Siemens modular, automatic door management system. The sophisticated, intelligent and ingenious modular system enables a wide variety of automatic door applications to be conveniently parameterized and configured to operate with just one button. After a single learn run, SIDOOR automatically calculates the optimum drive characteristics for safe operation.

usa.siemens.com/sidoor © Siemens Industry, Inc. Inc. © Siemens Industry, Special Regional Section: New York CO-OP CITY

More than 44,000 live in the massive complex.

o-Op City in the Bronx, New York, is the world’s single largest housing cooperative. Constructed between 1966 and 1973 and designed by Massive ongoing Herman Jessor, it is referred to as a “city within a city” because of its size. The 35 high rises and 200-plus townhomes house more than 44,000 on 320 acres. One elevator hundred sixty elevators transport the residents from their apartments to ground modernization level. In mid-2018, United Cabs, Inc., in conjunction with Champion Elevator, won the contract to modernize all 160 units. at the “city The design of the elevators is straightforward. Built on a raised-removable within a city” system, each features nine horizontally stacked upper panels faced with Wilson Art’s Amber Cherry laminate. The lower panels feature a three-part horizontal panel faced with 4LB by Rigidized Metals. All the panels are wrapped with by Christopher Rosario stainless-steel binders and held in place with aluminum Z-clips. The reveals, fronts, base, doors and drop ceiling have wood cores and are 14-ga. stainless steel facing in a six-section layout. Each ceiling features a six-light Man-D-Tec fixture system. Finally, the floors are faced with durable black rubber stainless- steel-studded tiles. In winning the job, from a sales perspective, the challenge was aligning the United Housing board members’ design vision and assuring them of the durability of the materials chosen. To give them a better sense of what the finished product would look like, we created the elevator in virtual reality. Board members were left impressed but, more importantly, confident their design was what they wanted.

78 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 Like Champion (ELEVATOR WORLD, September 2018 and May 2019), United faced its largest job so far here. As a relatively small team when compared to our competitors, we harnessed our years of experience to best execute the work. To effectively manufacture at a larger scale than we had before, we implemented a phased scheduling system. Each quarter, we manufacture and install 10 cabs within a two-week timeframe. The first phase began in January 2019, phase four was completed by the end of the year, and the entire project is set to wrap in 2023 or sooner. The phased system allows for minimal disruptions to the complex. Coordination is crucial: our project- management team, shop foreman and purchasing department work together closely

In this angled shot, the bases (faced with 14-ga. stainless steel with concealed vents, as are the frieze and reveals) can be seen.

The contrast between upper and lower panels at handrail level was an important aspect of the design.

to ensure buffers are created to make up for last-minute scheduling changes and guarantee timely delivery and installation. Thanks to an Amada EN2510NT machine to facilitate the production of punch holes for the ceiling lights and punching for the return fronts and fixture cutouts, work that otherwise would have had to be done by hand is now automated, easing the coordination and manufacturing process. Elevator consultant William Warr of DTM Drafting & Consulting Services, Inc. oversaw the project’s quality and Chair rails and handrails were made of 4-ga. stainless steel. execution.

Christopher Rosario is creative director at Bulter Media in Brooklyn, NYC.

March 2020 • ELEVATOR WORLD 79 SPECIAL REGIONAL SECTION REQUEST OUR NEW YORK 2020 Peelle: An NYC Institution PRODUCTS CATALOG In this Readers Platform, your author describes the supplier’s local footprint.

by Michael J. Ryan

he NYC metro region is experiencing a construction boom: infrastructure improvements, such as rebuilding at LaGuardia and JFK airports, as well as bridge replacements, and new high-rise office, hotel and residential buildings, such as the Hudson Yards complex on the REACHING west side of Manhattan, Long Island City’s new skyline, and A view down the hoistway of the Riverwalk building in NYC, a Peelle jobsite numerous projects in Brooklyn. This construction boom is supported by many companies in Peelle is historically known as the NYC source for vertical- NEW LEVELS the elevator industry. The Peelle Co., celebrating its 115th slide, heavy-duty freight elevator doors, and while that remains birthday in 2020, has been a key New York player since the late true today, it has expanded into passenger entrances and 1800s, when founder Caleb Peelle introduced elevator safety replacement panels. The addition of passenger doors to the gates. In those days it was common for suppliers to also install product line was driven by the expanding NYC market. Peelle their products, and by the time Peelle incorporated in 1905, it customers requested passenger entrance installations in 2005 had already established a reputation as both an NYC metro because the company employed both International Union of manufacturer and installer. Although Peelle moved several Elevator Constructors, as well as Local 580 of the International times during its history — from NYC to Brooklyn to Long Island Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing — the infrastructure was always in place to service this Iron Workers. This is an uncommon labor practice — two demanding market. It remains demanding to this day: it’s not unions installing one product — but one that the New York uncommon to receive a call on a Friday afternoon requesting market demands. In 2016, after Peelle began installing an emergency repair team before a busy shopping weekend, or passenger entrances for local NYC elevator contractors, the to deliver a replacement part to a waiting mechanic. Working company would introduce its own passenger entrance and two teams on 12-hour shifts to meet a critical deadline is not replacement panel products. unusual here. Peelle’s vertical freight door and horizontal passenger door installation crews possess unique skill sets because the products are so different. But, it doesn’t stop there: the Manufacturing of Passenger Elevators, Standard and Continued custom Cabs, Entrances and Components

MODERN

Modern Elevator Modern Elevator 525 Parkdale Ave N Hamilton, 1441 Broadway 3rd Floor, Ontario, Canada L8H 5Y6 New York City, NY, 10018

Peelle supplied the vertical slide doors for this vehicle lift at the Peelle service vans are a common sight in and around the city, Toll Free: 866-448-6667 Toll Free: 877-280-0902 Barclays Center in Brooklyn. where the Peelle name has been known for more than 100 years. [email protected] www.modernelevator.com [email protected] 80 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 REQUEST OUR 2020 PRODUCTS CATALOG

REACHING NEW LEVELS

Manufacturing of Passenger Elevators, Standard and custom Cabs, Entrances and Components

MODERN

Modern Elevator Modern Elevator 525 Parkdale Ave N Hamilton, 1441 Broadway 3rd Floor, Ontario, Canada L8H 5Y6 New York City, NY, 10018 Toll Free: 866-448-6667 Toll Free: 877-280-0902 [email protected] www.modernelevator.com [email protected] Longevity. Durability. Aesthetics.

(l-r) Anthony Moran and Mike Caminiti Randy Fender (l-r) Ron Smith and Mike Caminiti

(l-r) John Accurso and Leo Aguirre (l-r) Matt O’Rawe and Joe Wangenstein A Peelle crew installs a freight door.

differences extend beyond the Peelle product. You must York building owners. NYC contractors and consultants also consider the elevator manufacturer, elevator contractor, project depend on Peelle to provide such services as sales assistance, deadline, building construction work, the schedule and more. installation and sales training. Peelle offers field surveying of The NYC market also requires quick problem resolution in the any manufacturer’s existing material for capital planning and Specialists in Metal Finishes form of emergency repair crews that perform work on a “time replacement. and material” basis to return a freight elevator back to service To support this infrastructure, Peelle’s NYC footprint includes after it has been damaged through misuse or abuse; or provide its U.S.-based salespeople and construction management, plus a next-day shipment of replacement passenger entrances. Up training facility, parts center, tools and supplies and material until the 1980s, Peelle offered routine maintenance service of its warehouse. As the New York region continues to expand, Peelle Rimex Metals have been Our products are renowned for Whatever your elevator build own material, and it still provides this service for key retailers is committed to providing appropriate solutions for the elevator enhancing the aesthetics and lifespan requirements are, get in touch with through the elevator maintenance contractor. The thought here community and building stakeholders. producing surface finishes is that, because Peelle installs freight elevator doors and related on stainless steel and other of elevator interiors and doors. us today and let us help you make equipment, who better to maintain these products than Peelle? Michael J. Ryan is vice president of Business metals since 1959. your projects a reality. Rimex’s experience in servicing Peelle products are a specialty, so Peelle also offers local Development for The Peelle Co. He is also training on troubleshooting and maintenance. Peelle has responsible for Peelle’s North American business. Through our North American the US and international elevator participated in both the Elevator Conference of New York and He holds an MBA in General Business and a BA Headquarters and manufacturing sector means we understand your in Marketing. National Association of Elevator Contractors events, in addition facility located in Edison, New Jersey requirements; that the quality and to offering “Lunch and Learns” for elevator manufacturers, we are able to supply an extensive design of the elevator cab needs to consultants and contractors. It benefits both Peelle and the range of patterns, colors and compliment the building, it needs to elevator community to ensure that all elevator stakeholders specialty finishes on stainless steel be bright and utilize materials that have a good experience with the products they use; among and other metals. are durable, easy to clean and safe. these stakeholders, there’s none more demanding than New

82 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 t: +1-(800)526-7600 • f: +1-(732)549-6435 • e: [email protected] • w: www.rimexmetals.com

Rimex (USA) Elevator World Ad 212.73x276.23mm AW.indd 1 29/01/2018 15:32 Longevity. Durability. Aesthetics.

Specialists in Metal Finishes

Rimex Metals have been Our products are renowned for Whatever your elevator build producing surface finishes enhancing the aesthetics and lifespan requirements are, get in touch with on stainless steel and other of elevator interiors and doors. us today and let us help you make metals since 1959. your projects a reality. Rimex’s experience in servicing Through our North American the US and international elevator Headquarters and manufacturing sector means we understand your facility located in Edison, New Jersey requirements; that the quality and we are able to supply an extensive design of the elevator cab needs to range of patterns, colors and compliment the building, it needs to specialty finishes on stainless steel be bright and utilize materials that and other metals. are durable, easy to clean and safe.

t: +1-(800)526-7600 • f: +1-(732)549-6435 • e: [email protected] • w: www.rimexmetals.com

Rimex (USA) Elevator World Ad 212.73x276.23mm AW.indd 1 29/01/2018 15:32 SPECIAL REGIONAL SECTION NEW YORK TEI Takes on Challenges An update on what TEI is working on in NYC

by Karen Jackson

EI Group has been delivering accomplished One reason for TEI’s success is its capacity for, and vertical transportation services in the Big Apple willingness to take on, challenging projects. The for more than 30 years. By executing a following is an update on several current projects on straightforward business plan based on customer which TEI is working. care, TEI Group has grown to become the largest independent provider of comprehensive elevator Destination Dispatch construction, modernization, maintenance and repair 111 8th Avenue services in the NYC metropolitan market — the most TEI is preparing the groundwork for a significant competitive multistory marketplace in North America destination-dispatch installation at 111 8th Avenue that (ELEVATOR WORLD, September 2019). will be implemented later this year. Twelve passenger elevators will be modernized with a new destination- dispatch system at the 17-floor, multiuse, full-block Art Deco building. The units will include several special operations, including independent service, anti-nuisance service, firefighters’ and earthquake emergency operations, card-reader access and remote monitoring.

590 TEI teams are planning for a record-breaking job at , the 41-story Plaza District building also known as the IBM Building. The modernization of 20 elevators includes the biggest destination-based dispatch installation ever performed by an independent elevator company. The project is planned to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021. Complex Modernization at 1166 Avenue of the Americas Work by TEI is well underway on a complex modernization project at the 44-story 1166 Avenue of the Americas. A total of 28 elevators are being modernized using five different specifications to meet a range of needs. As of January, the project was 80% complete. Door-Lock Monitoring (DLM) Rope- Gripping Compliance TEI has completed more than 800 DLM projects in 590 Madison Avenue from the south (the IBM Building); photo by compliance with the deadline that occurred at the end of Matthew Bisanz via Wikipedia last year. It is also now advising all clients to prepare for

84 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 A rendering via Handel Architects of the under-construction 1,400-unit Hunters Point South project in Long Island City

Hunters Point Housing Development In January, TEI’s new-construction teams were approximately 10% complete on elevator installations in two towers in Hunters Point, the biggest affordable housing project NYC has undertaken in the last 40 years. In Parcel C, the high rises total 1.4 million ft2 of residential and retail space slated to provide 1,400 apartments. South Tower will host five elevators; North Tower will host nine.

Karen Jackson is president of Jackson Solutions LLC, Founded in 1989 by two elevator mechanics, TEI Group has grown to more than 325 which advises small and employees. Here, its principals pose with the 2019 ELEVATOR WORLD ELLIE Award for Best Contractor — East, a source of particular pride, given the many strong competitors lower middle-market in this market. business-to-business companies on sales and growth. The company is based in Ludlow, Vermont. the installation of rope-gripping devices to comply with the 2027 deadline. Starting now allows for ensuring compliance well in advance, providing more flexibility and control of the process and immediately improving elevator safety. TEI has already installed the devices in some of NYC’s largest and most prestigious buildings.

March 2020 • ELEVATOR WORLD 85 SPECIAL REGIONAL SECTION NEW YORK Successful Implementation of a Mandated VT Periodic Inspection and Testing Program to Improve Safety and Reliability Emulating the NYC Model

by Robert Cuzzi and Harry Vyas

This article was first presented at the 2019 ♦ Development and implementation of the NYC inspection International Elevator & Escalator Symposium in Las and testing process, based on ASME A17, Part 8.6, “Periodic Vegas. For more information on December 7-8, Inspection and Testing” 2020’s event in Amsterdam and to participate, visit ♦ Best practices for inspection and testing of VT units to wwwelevatorsymposium.org. enhance public safety and service reliability he main purpose of inspection and testing is to provide ♦ Advantages of utilizing a third-party independent inspection objective, independent and impartial information (witness) agency versus maintenance company inspections regarding the condition of the elevator systems, and to or AHJ inspections (i.e. lack of proper and sufficient identify components that are defective and need immediate manpower and finances is a major issue for the AHJ attention and could have a negative effect on the building and inspection process, delaying completion of inspections and its occupants. Existing conditions may present safety concerns, projects). including damage or deterioration of elevator components, and The methodology for inspections performed by an approved, operational problems due to these conditions. licensed inspection agency and witnessed by an approved, Mandated safety inspections ensure all equipment is safe licensed third-party inspection agency (not affiliated with each before use. A record of regular, properly conducted inspections other) is as follows: provides liability protection. Failure to conduct regular ♦ Category One: One-Year Test (performed between January 1 inspections can result in safety issues, entrapments and and December 31 annually) outages, liability exposure and fines; all of this can impact ♦ Category Five: Five-Year Test (performed on an anniversary businesses and negatively affect the economy. basis every 60 months) NYC is a vertical city with more than 80,000 vertical ♦ Affirmation oforrection C (AOC) of Category 1 defects and transportation (VT) units, including 65,000 passenger elevators violation items that complete about 35 million trips a day, transporting ♦ Fines or penalties issued for late or missed mandated millions of people in a dense urban environment; a robust inspections/tests, or failure to file AOC for deficiency items; inspection and testing process is vital to enhance safety and established to encourage the building owner to perform reliability. inspections/tests in a timely manner to improve safety and We will review the development, requirements and reliability implementation of the mandated inspection and test Development and implementation of a comprehensive requirements, in accordance with the NYC 2014 Building Code inspection/testing program with a third-party witness agency, and General Administrative Provisions Article 304 — “Elevators coupled with a dedicated maintenance control program, bring and Conveyor Systems.” the following benefits to the building owner, general riding The requirement of having an “unaffiliated/independent public and elevator company: third-party inspection agency” to witness and document the 1) Enhanced safety testing procedures will be reviewed. 2) Improved efficiency and service reliability We will identify best practices for inspection and testing 3) Proper and efficient inspection/testing performed processes that enhance safety, transparency, integrity and 4) Reduced liability for building ownership quality of inspections, and promote a positive business 5) Increase lifespan of equipment environment with minimal inconvenience to building owners 6) Avoid costly repairs and unexpected downtime and tenants. 7) Avoid violations and penalties By the end of this article, readers will have learned: 8) Promote a positive business environment and economy

Continued 86 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020

NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) statistics show that ♦ There are 35 million average daily citywide elevator trips. elevator accidents/incidents in NYC have been reduced by more ♦ Twelve percent of all U.S. elevators are in NYC. than 60% since implementation of the current mandated Based on the incredible number of VT units and more than inspection/test process, established with the 2008 code. 35 million trips per day, how does a large city properly manage Due to limited AHJ resources and budgets, privatization of its VT industry to ensure the maximum level of safety is this process, by use of qualified third-party, independent and provided to the riding public day in and day out during each VT licensed “Witness Inspection Agencies,” has greatly improved trip? This is a serious challenge and must be accomplished the entire inspection/test process, resulting in the safest and through a variety of methods but, most of all, requires a high most efficient VT systems possible. level of commitment from everyone involved, including: Overview/Recent History of Mandated ♦ AHJ, in this case, the NYC DOB Elevator Division ♦ Owners/managers Inspections and Testing in NYC ♦ Elevator contractors and professionals – consultants and The invention of the elevator makes urban living possible in inspectors our society, and without elevators and various forms of VT, ♦ The riding public as we know them could not exist. In an attempt to accomplish this, and provide safe and NYC is a classic example of a vertical city, and we believe this reliable VT to the riding public, in 1981, the NYC DOB enacted city is only as good as its VT system. We have heard these Local Law (LL) 10/81, which required a total of five inspections to statements many times over the years and for good reason: be performed on each elevator/escalator device under its ♦ “VT is the safest mode of transportation in the world.” jurisdiction over two years. ♦ “VT is the lifeblood of any multifloor building.” Two of these inspections, one each year, would be performed ♦ “A modern city cannot function without a safe, reliable and by a “private agency” duly licensed and registered by the NYC efficient VT system.” DOB and hired directly by the building owner/manager. The We live in an ever-changing, always growing and expanding other three inspections (over a two-year period) would be world, where the population continues to increase daily. Most performed directly by NYC DOB-employed “elevator inspectors,” of our major cities are growing rapidly, and many cannot controlled by the DOB’s Elevator Division. expand horizontally; so, they grow vertically, reaching up to Highlights of the LL 10/81 requirements: amazing new heights, with taller and taller buildings ♦ In effect from March 10, 1981, through December 31, 2008 appearing on the skyline almost overnight! ♦ Routine (i.e. six-month type) inspections performed by the For many years, NYC has been referred to as the “Elevator elevator contractor or private, licensed inspection agency, as Capital of the World” with not only an incredibly large number hired directly by the building owner/manager of VT units located in a relatively small area, but also with a ♦ Simple checklist-type filing form to be completed and tremendous variety of VT equipment, installed and maintained by more than 300 companies, large and small. submitted to the NYC DOB by the performing inspection company Vertical Transportation in NYC ♦ No third-party verification required; the building’s ♦ The city has 163 years of elevator history (since 1857). maintenance contractor typically performed this inspection ♦ There are 84,653 VT devices under the NYC DOB jurisdiction. on the equipment it was maintaining. ♦ Five hundred average daily elevator trips are made ♦ Requirement for a “Two-Year No Load” (i.e., periodic test) and per elevator. a “Five-Year Full Load” (Category 5 test) to be performed but Continued

Top 15 Tallest Buildings in NYC; image credit: StreetEasy

88 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020

not witnessed by a third party; in most cases, the elevator and standards, and makes appropriate recommendations to contractor maintaining the equipment performed these tests enhance safety, reliability and service for the riding public. The and “self-certified” the results by submitting filing forms to committee uses a “consensus-based” process to arrive at the NYC DOB. recommendations pertaining to improving the code standards. ♦ Result: Inspections and tests were not being performed The volunteer committee currently has a total of 29 members, properly, as required by code, due to lack of oversight and including alternate members, technical experts and advisors, lack of properly trained, sufficient staff. with the following entities represented: ♦ Integrity of the inspection and test process is in serious doubt! AFFILIATION/REPRESENTATION ♦ Were these tests actually being performed? ♦ If so, were they being performed properly, in accordance NYC Volunteer Elevator Code Review Committee with code? NEII - National Elevator Industry, Inc. ♦ No checks and balances in place to verify this. NYCHA - NYC Housing Authority The NYC DOB realized the existing system and testing requirements were not being properly administered and REBNY - Real Estate Board of New York managed, and it lacked personnel to not only provide oversight ECNY - Elevator Conference of New York of the annual LL 10/81 inspections being performed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey private sector, but it could not perform the other required EMANY - Elevator Manufacturers Association of New York inspections as required by its own local law. The bottom line is that the present system was not working, FDNY - NYC Fire Department and safety was being compromised. ASME - Code Committee Member Implementing a New Mandated Inspection and BOMA - Building Owners and Managers Association of New York Testing System Union Local 1 and 3 ♦ Challenge: How to fix a “broken” system to maximize NYC DOB elevator safety; a major code change means “A Big Challenge NAEC – National Association of Elevator Contractors for the Big Apple.” DCAS – Department of Citywide Administrative Services ♦ The NYC DOB (AHJ) and code review committee recognized we are dealing with a dense urban population and the ♦ Complete overhaul of old inspection and testing system world’s most complex high-rise elevator market. This necessary to improve integrity, transparency and quality requires robust VT equipment regulation to provide a safe, of inspections reliable, comfortable and sustainable VT system to the ♦ Addition of the “Witness Inspection Agency” to the riding public. inspection process not only adds another set of eyes, but ♦ Volunteer Elevator Code Review Committee greatly improves the quality of inspections, integrity and The NYC Elevator Code Review Committee comprises transparency of the entire inspection process. volunteers from throughout the NYC elevator and real estate ♦ Privatization of the mandated testing system, with a certain industries, Fire Department of NY (FDNY) and NYC DOB. Formed percentage of inspections to be audited by the NYC DOB in 2005, this committee meets 10 times per year to review the Elevator Inspection Division, provided another layer of various elevator codes and make recommendations for oversight to ensure conformity of the inspections performed, improvement. The committee reviews each section of the codes as required by the code. Continued 90 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020

♦ The “Routine” (six-month) inspections are to be replaced by ♦ Reduction of an AHJ’s inspection burden can ultimately save annual, mandated periodic inspections and tests (Category taxpayer dollars. One-, Three- and Five-Year inspections and tests). Category 1 Inspection (Cat-1) is a one-year test performed between Current NYC Requirements for Mandated January 1 and December 31 each year as a no-load safety test. Inspections and Tests Category 3 Inspection (Cat-3) is a three-year test performed As part of the new mandated inspection and test process, the only on water hydraulic elevators every three years from the NYC DOB created new, or modified existing, rules and date of installation. Category 5 Inspection (Cat-5) is a regulations to ensure the new inspection and test procedures five-year test performed every five years from the date of would be adhered to and proper filing of inspection and test installation (performed with rated load and at rated speed). forms would take place. While there were several important ♦ Third-party witnessing required for all mandated Category 1, documents in this process, the main ones that established the 3 and 5 tests. requirements and procedures to be adhered to are as follows: ♦ NYC DOB-employed in-house inspectors to verify and spot ♦ NYC Article 304 — “Periodic Inspection of Elevators and check inspections and tests performed by a licensed Conveying Systems”: A complete copy of Article 304 appears inspection agency on behalf of the owner. in this month’s Online Extras at www.elevatorworld.com. As ♦ NYC DOB contracted separately with “PVT” (private, licensed stated in the first paragraph, “Every new and existing inspection) agencies to perform one inspection per device elevator or conveying system shall be inspected and tested per calendar year. in accordance with the schedule set forth in this article.” As ♦ At present, NYC DOB hires two licensed inspection agencies detailed, all systems are to be maintained in a safe condition to perform these annual inspections (visual inspection - no and in accordance with ASME A17.1 as modified by Appendix testing needed). K of the NYC Building Code. ♦ Articles 421 and 422 — “Licensing of Private Elevator Creating a Partnership Among Building Inspection Agency Directors” and “Inspectors — Mandated Owners, Performing Inspectors, Third-Party by NYC Law”: These articles require that only the licensed Witnessing Inspectors and Local AHJ private inspection agencies may perform and/or witness (NYC DOB) inspections and tests or enter into contracts pursuant to Successful modification and implementation of a complete Article 304. new mandated inspection and testing system, especially for a ♦ The required filing forms (# elv-3) to be completed and tremendous VT market such as NYC, requires a serious submitted for all Category 1, 3 and 5 tests, along with commitment and an extremely high level of cooperation associated filing fees paid to the NYC DOB among various parties, including building owners/managers, ♦ The required AOC filing forms (# elv-29) to be completed and performing and witness inspectors and the local AHJ — in this submitted for all required corrections/repairs case, the NYC DOB. (“unsatisfactory” items) found during the inspection/test Only by working together, with each entity having its ♦ Recently implemented NYC “DOB NOW” computer system specific roles and responsibilities, could a new mandated designed and implemented to facilitate all inspection/ testing system be achieved for the good of the riding public. testing requirements and manage timely filings, deadlines, Each party would comply with requirements, as follows: fees and/or penalties. Highlights include all filing forms to ♦ Building owners and managers responsible for complying be submitted electronically (no paper filings permitted); with the mandated inspection and test requirements owners, agency directors and inspectors need an “e-filing ♦ VT contractors responsible for performing the mandated account” required to submit all filings and pay applicable tests in accordance with NYC code requirements, as fees; all forms are electronically signed by all parties online; contracted by the building owner/manager once electronic payment is made, the filing process is ♦ Independent, third-party “inspection agencies” responsible complete; and current status of inspections/tests and filings for witnessing all inspections and tests to ensure compliance are listed in DOB NOW. with the NYC elevator code and mandated Management and Enforcement for Over testing requirements 84,000 VT Units – How Is It Accomplished? ♦ Owners/managers/VT contractors/third-party witnessing There are many components and factors required to properly agencies “team up” to ensure all requirements are complied manage and enforce inspection and testing requirements for with and mandated testing is completed in a timely manner. more than 84,000 VT units. Following is a brief summary of Contact SnapCab today and book a free ♦ Any necessary deficiency items to be corrected by the them: responsible party in a timely manner to ensure safety and training session with an interior specialist ♦ Development of codes and standards applicable to avoid fines/penalties at your location. Learn how to expand your mandated inspections and testing to establish minimum ♦ Inspections performed on time without any backlog (Due to services, gain new customers, and grow 1.888.766.7834 safety requirements for all new and existing VT systems, in lack of manpower and/or limited budgets, many AHJs have [email protected] accordance with ASME A17.1 and NYC DOB Appendix K and your business. SnapCab.com inspection backlog delays that may compromise safety Article 304 – “Periodic Inspection of Elevators and and reliability.) Conveying Systems” Continued

92 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 1.888.766.7834 [email protected] SnapCab.com Contact SnapCab today and book a free training session with an interior specialist at your location. Learn how to expand your services, gain new customers, and grow 1.888.766.7834 [email protected] your business. SnapCab.com

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♦ ♦ Application and registration process; Articles 421 and 422 Reduced liability for building ownership Built in WiFi and USB port connects – “Private Elevator Inspection Agency Director & Inspector ♦ Increased overall lifespan of VT equipment DELTA control to laptop. Licenses”; detailed recordkeeping of inspections, testing, ♦ Minimized costly repairs and unexpected downtime tracking violations and defects; and data used to perform ♦ Avoid violations and penalties Tools ng 2 software with Load Wizard risk analysis and identify locations with conveyance ♦ Promote a positive business environment and economy provides rope installation details with numbers for future inspection and testing ♦ Improve transparency, integrity and quality of inspection report generator. ♦ Commissioning inspection and acceptance testing for new process installations and alterations: NYC DOB to continue to witness ♦ Enhanced rider trust in the inspection process and Load Wizard enables quick and accurate these tests with its own inspectors (the performing inspector confidence using VT equipment rope equalization. is to file necessary forms with the NYC DOB) and to confirm ♦ Eliminated inspection backlog and all inspections/testing device installed or altered complies with codes and performed in a timely manner standards. ♦ Reduced AHJ inspection burden without sacrificing public ♦ Training of performing inspectors and witnessing inspectors safety; save taxpayer’s dollars. to improve inspection quality and provide consistency in the inspection process Robert Cuzzi is responsible for the overall operations of VDA, including ♦ Quality assurance to improve integrity and transparency of all 25 regional offices, in his current role as president. He joined the Tools ng2 free App for the inspection and test process. company in 1998 as operations manager. He also served as project ♦ Enforcement to achieve full inspection/testing status (along executive on select projects such as 1 WTC, and , Laptops, tablets & smartphone with code compliance) and enhanced safety and reliability among many others. Cuzzi is a graduate of the Manhattan College School of the service for the riding public of Engineering with a BE in Mechanical Engineering. He holds various certifications, including the ASME QEI license. He is a volunteer for several ♦ Maintenance requirements, which include a maintenance Through the application you can control the industry organizations, including past technical chairman of the Elevator control program, maintenance and repair log. Benefits are DELTA device. In a simple way, you can generate Conference of New York (ECNY), and has been a frequent guest speaker increased lifespan of equipment, enhanced efficiency of reports on the current state of the installation at BuildingsNY, the National Association of Elevator Contractors, BOMA and maintain the rope tension. equipment, avoiding unforeseen costly downtime and International, the Real Estate board of New York, ECNY and various repairs, and a reduced number of shutdowns industry seminars. and entrapments. Harry Vyas is senior director of compliance at VDA, having joined in June Results of a Properly Administered Mandated 2019 as a part of the NYC office. Vyas assists in the planning, direction Inspection and Testing System and administration of VDA’s company policy for compliance of applicable For windows: www.dinacell.com ♦ Enhanced safety/reduced number of accidents and codes, standards and AHJ rules and regulations. In addition, he performs incidents, shutdowns and entrapments and oversees the compliance of mandated inspections and tests, ♦ Improved efficiency and service reliability measured provides guidance to the consultant teams and building owner/ through complaint data received and analyzed management for administrative procedures, followed by AHJ and code ELEVATOR MOTORS CORPORATION - Official distributor of Dinacell Electrónica S.L. in USA interpretation when needed. Prior to working for VDA, Vyas worked for ♦ Proper and efficient inspection/testing performed the NYC DOB for 21 years. 80 Carolyn Boulevard, Suite 1 - Farmingdale, NY 11735-1525, USA. Tel. (+1) 631 293 4220 Fax. (+1) 631 293 2714 Email. [email protected] 94 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 www.elevatormotors.com Rope Tension Measurement System

The combination of our RTM sensors and our DELTA control is the ideal system for measuring the tension of the ropes on elevators. The DELTA control is capable of individually measuring up to RTM + DELTA 16 ropes simultaneously.

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ELEVATOR MOTORS CORPORATION - Official distributor of Dinacell Electrónica S.L. in USA

80 Carolyn Boulevard, Suite 1 - Farmingdale, NY 11735-1525, USA. Tel. (+1) 631 293 4220 Fax. (+1) 631 293 2714 Email. [email protected] www.elevatormotors.com Special Regional Section: New York

Tribeca Triumph

This Project Spotlight details innovative elevator work that transformed Frank Woolworth’s “Cathedral of Commerce.”

by Alexander J. Saltzman The Woolworth Building, world-famous upon its completion in 1913, was designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert as the headquarters for Frank Woolworth’s eponymous retail empire. Nicknamed “The Cathedral of Commerce” for its neo-Gothic design, the Woolworth Building in Manhattan was the tallest structure in the world from 1913 until 1930. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1963 and as an architectural treasure by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1983. Universally admired for its exquisite architecture, the iconic Tribeca building is still revered for its striking façade and lobby, and the highly ornate, The Woolworth Building; photo by Ronile from Pixabay.com polychromatic terracotta detailing. In 2012, as the surrounding neighborhood was being rebuilt and was gaining a new residential identity, developer Alchemy Properties saw an opportunity to reposition the tower portion (floors 29-58) of the property. While the tower floorplates were small for modern office space, they were perfectly proportioned for grand residences. The Woolworth Tower Residences were created to restore the beauty of the building and to make it an anchor in the newly residential area. SLCE Architects was signed on for design work, and City Elevator/KONE was brought in as elevator contractor. Jenkins & Huntington served as design consultants, and VDA was Residential lobby construction administration. elevator entrances

96 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 The building was originally designed with 24 The residential tower systems had to be separated passenger elevators in four banks of six cars serving from the commercial base while keeping 800,000 ft2 the office floors, two freight elevators serving the of occupied office space functioning. This included cellar through the 28th floors and one hydraulic lift truncating and rebuilding three active elevators from the sub-cellar to the sidewalk. Compared with serving the office floors and decommissioning modern elevators, the 24 passenger cars are portions of shared, operational mechanical, significantly smaller, each with a floor area of electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems. One of the approximately 3 X 4 ft. A car that size would not have most innovative design elements of the entire been conducive to creating grand-scale luxury project was the combination of an original boiler homes in the tower of the Woolworth Building. flue shaft and a decommissioned elevator bank, Large, fast and modern residential cars were creating an independent shaftway — or, “residential umbilical cord” — that ran from the subcellar essential to make this renovation project successful. through the lower office floors and up to the 53rd Major Modifications floor. This space was reconfigured into shafts for two In transforming the tower floors from commercial 1,000 ft/min residential passenger elevators (RPEs) to residential use, modern engineering parameters — RPE 1 with a 4000-lb capacity and RPE 2, 4500 lb were applied to perform major structural and — as well as the residential MEP service risers. mechanical modifications throughout the building Construction Challenges but, most significantly, at the 29th floor and the 53rd To avoid new stresses on the historic terracotta through 58th floors. Open, expansive residential façade, the only construction hoists used were living spaces were created out of formerly dark, installed within the new residential elevator shafts. small and un-occupiable mechanical and back-of- Similarly, due to site and street conditions, it was not house spaces. These innovative modifications possible to employ a crane for this project. Elevator included installing new (and enlarging existing) motors and controllers, as well as bulky mechanical windows in landmarked, load-bearing walls, equipment, had to be hoisted up the residential removing structural decks, raising entire roof decks elevator shafts using two Thern winches. With only and adding floors above the 29th-floor setbacks, two shafts for vertical transportation of both workers condensing mechanical systems and creatively and construction materials, trades were scheduled in splitting firefighting water systems into pieces that staggered shifts, and major deliveries were only could fit within structure. allowed after-hours. Continued

The residential lobby includes ornate ceiling tiles originally from Frank Woolworth’s 40th-floor office.

March 2020 • ELEVATOR WORLD 97 Design Work At the start of the renovation, three of the 24 original small passenger elevators still served the tower floors, in addition to the office floors below. To fully separate the uses within the building and to regain significant residential floor area, these three cars were truncated and rebuilt with a new motor room on the 30th floor. This was one of the first orders of business in the construction schedule. Removing their associated, massive elevator machine rooms helped provide the residential floor area, as well. In addition, parts of the decommissioned elevator motors were salvaged and refurbished as replacement parts for the 17 remaining original cars in operation. Truncating these three cars resulted in a huge supply of ornate cast-iron elevator entrance surrounds. These parts were salvaged during demolition and sent offsite to be stripped, sanded and repainted. As a connection to the building’s significant history, the surrounds were incorporated into the residential design and installed on the new elevator entrances on floors 29-50. In addition, one of the original cast-iron “W” panels was installed inside each residential unit above the cooktop, extending the life of these highly decorative components. The other essential first steps in this renovation were the creation of a new residential elevator pit below the subcellar and a residential elevator motor room on the 53rd floor, at an New residential elevator interior elevation of 667 ft. During excavation of the new pit, it was necessary to expose the building’s caissons and incorporate the new pit’s structure into the century-old, historic foundation. Similarly, decommissioned mechanical spaces on the 53rd floor have been reconfigured, rebuilt and structurally reinforced to support the new residential elevator motors. To complete the new motor room, the motors had to be hoisted up the entire length of the shafts to several feet above their eventual permanent locations so the floor could be poured. Once the floor cured, the motors were lowered into place on their bearing plates, and the walls were erected to define the room. This is likely the highest elevation at which a new elevator machine room has been created within an existing building, which is a fitting distinction for a building that was once the tallest in the world. Transportation System The swift, smooth ride of new passenger elevators at The Woolworth Tower Residences is made possible by two 1,000 ft/ min gearless traction TGL3-8050 machines by Torin Drive International. The new residential motor room was able to house both Torin machines in a space that is smaller than the historic motor rooms, which each held a single, century-old Otis machine. Components were supplied by BHI Elevator Cabs The surrounds of the entrances at elevator lobbies on & Entrances. all residential floors feature vertical legs that were the cast-iron panels from the original elevator entrances. Capacity, Travel and Stops RPE 1 has a 4000-lb capacity, travels approximately 685 ft and has 22 stops with one front-opening stop at ground (the residential lobby) and 21 rear-opening stops at the cellar and floors 29-50 (floors 42 and 48 are low-height interstitial spaces). RPE 2 has a 4500-lb capacity, travels approximately 700 ft and

98 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 has 23 stops, with one front-opening stop at ground and 22 rear-opening stops, at the subcellar, cellar and floors 29-50. Due to the placement of the original foundation caissons and the new high-speed residential elevator pit, RPE 1 does not descend below the cellar level, but RPE 2 descends to the subcellar level, which houses residential amenities, including a pool original to the building. RPE 1 and RPE 2 each has a pit depth of 13 ft. Both RPE 1 and RPE 2 are larger than standard residential cars in Manhattan today. Their platforms measure 5 ft, 6 in. X 9 ft, 10 in., resulting in approximate interior dimensions of 5 ft, 1 in. X 8 ft, 4 in. Both cabs are 11 ft tall. Car and hoistway doors are two-speed, horizontal sliding to the right side. RPE 1 entrances are 3 ft, 6 in. wide X 8 ft tall. RPE 2 entrances are 3 ft, 10 in. wide X 8 ft tall. Conclusion The success of this renovation was made up of dozens of smaller design decisions that, through their synergy with this historically significant, iconic building, have proved the economic viability of this type of conversion. Neighbors, New Yorkers and architecture aficionados alike are appreciative of the responsible renovation that has given this building another hundred years on the skyline. Amidst the major investment in new retail and restaurants in the surrounding neighborhood, the adaptive reuse of the tower portion of the Woolworth Building — made possible specifically due to large, modern elevators, capable of traveling very fast — starts a new chapter in the long life of this iconic Landmark. Continued

The new residential entrance at 2 Park Place

The new residential elevator machine room housing the two New machine room for the three truncated commercial elevators Torin Drive motors

March 2020 • ELEVATOR WORLD 99 UNLOCK YOUR PROPERTY’S PROFITABILITY.

The silver “W” panel over the cooktop is a feature in all the building’s residences. The panels were part of the original decorative surrounds of the commercial elevators, which were truncated to clear the floorplates for the residential units.

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Alexander J. Saltzman is a partner at Alchemy Properties and Alchemy-ABR in NYC, where he directs the development of commercial and residential real estate. During his career, Saltzman has developed more than 1 million ft2, spanning diverse projects in both urban and suburban markets. Prior to joining Alchemy in TO ATTEND OR EXHIBIT VISIT: BUILDINGSNY.COM 2007, he managed adaptive reuse developments at HK Organization in Brooklyn, New York. Previously, he was with Toll Brothers in Philadelphia, where he managed

the development of its largest urban project. Saltzman holds an MS in Real Estate FOUNDING SPONSOR: PRIME SPONSOR: INDUSTRY SUPPORTERS: Finance from New York University and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

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100 www.elevatorworld.com • March 2020 UNLOCK YOUR PROPERTY’S PROFITABILITY.

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